Eighteen Muslim extremists surrendered to the military in Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday afternoon, saying they were tired of evading government offensives, the Army disclosed on Thursday.
Lt. Col. Christian Cabading, commander of the Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion, presented the surrenderees and their firearms to Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala, head of the 2nd Infantry Division, during the latter’s visit to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.
The surrenderees were formerly associated with the Dawlah Islamiyah and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters which were operating in Maguindanao del Sur, specifically in the adjoining towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, and Mamasapano.
“Their decision to lay down arms and return to the fold of the law reflects courage, reconciliation, and the hope of starting anew with their families and communities,” Cabading said in a statement.
Aside from the 18 firearms turned over by the group, 24 other loose firearms were turned in through the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program.
The surrendered weapons include rocket-propelled grenades, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers.
“Each firearm handed over reduces the instruments of violence and brings us closer to a safer community,” Cabading noted.
During Wednesday’s surrender rites, Zagala stressed the importance of education in achieving lasting peace in communities.
“We erase ignorance and prejudice with education,” he said, addressing the former combatants.
He underscored that by spreading knowledge, communities can break free from the cycle of violence and misunderstanding that extremist groups exploit.
He urged the former extremists to ensure that their children availed of the government’s free education program, their ticket to personal development.
Zagala lauded the surrenderees for choosing peace over violence, commending their bravery to embrace a new beginning for themselves and their families.
He also commended the 92IB for exceeding mission expectations, especially through peace-building efforts that foster trust among the people.
